WarSclerotic

The aim appears to be to prevent an Israeli airstrike on Iran before the US presidential election on November 6. The two papers, Maariv and Yedioth Ahronoth, have both campaigned against a pre-emptive Israeli air attack, which they believe could embroil Israel in a long war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Ehud Barak have been openly distrustful of US promises that it will prevent Iran building a nuclear weapon, and will use military force if necessary.

Washington, which imposed tougher sanctions against Iran last week, fears the consequences of an Israel attack before the presidential election.

“We will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon, period,” Mr Panetta told Mr Netanyahu last week. “We will exert all options in the effort to ensure that does not happen.”

The papers cited Israeli sources claiming that in private conversations, Mr Panetta expressed his frustration over “the mistrust that Netanyahu and Barak demonstrate with regard to the American commitment to stop the Iranian nuclear program”. Americans believed this to be “ingratitude”, considering the unshakable US support for Israel’s security.

According to both papers, the Americans argued that an Israeli strike would delay the Iranian bomb by no more than a year or two, while a US attack could destroy the entire program.

Maariv claimed the US strike “would begin with hundreds of cruise missiles to demolish Iran’s air defences, intelligence bases and radar stations”. A wave of B-52 bombers would then drop bunker-buster bombs on all Iran’s nuclear facilities. “After the attack, an ultimatum would be issued to Iran,” Maariv said, “to stop its military nuclear program immediately. In return, the West would supply it with peaceful nuclear reactors.”

Ben Kaspit, Maariv’s political editor, said: “A lot depends on the Iranian reaction to the initial attack. Attacking Israel, and Arab allies of the US, would initiate a second stage of the offensive. That would include attacks on government symbols, infrastructure and oil installations.”

Mr Panetta left Israel without getting any guarantees from Mr Netanyahu. “(President Barack) Obama will not attack Iran never,” Mr Netanyahu was quoted as telling opposition leader Shaul Mofaz. “In his second term, Obama will care even less about us than he cares now.”

Some Israelis believe Mr Netanyahu and Mr Barak are bluffing. “If so, they’re doing a fantastic job,” said a political insider. “They’re squeezing Obama, who will pay Israel big time for not spoiling his campaign.”

The Sunday Times